By: John M. Switlik, July 2024; Context: AI, Knowledge Systems, ML, … .
BA/MA, University of Arizona 74/75.
John spent his career leading efforts at using knowledge and technology to attain operational efficacy in industrial and governmental settings. His expertise spanned decision support and related computational frameworks, both mathematical/software and trade-off analysis. Over the past 15 years, John has served as President and Researcher for the Thomas Gardner Society, Inc., a non-profit corporation “organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes” which honors the origins and accomplishments of “New England immigrants” beginning with the Cape Ann party who settled Massachusetts. The Corporation’s four hundred years perspective is tempered by the history of the United States in total but with particular interest in the evolution of the culture and its technology. As such, there is a multidimensional nature to the outlook that relates to creating a proper balance between aspects of the lives of citizens through generations. A continuing theme is labelled “truth engineering” that pertains to computing systems, top to bottom, and management thereof to identify their influence for positive results and/or otherwise.
At Boeing (BA), John was an Associate Technical Fellow (emeritus since 2005) in advanced computing technology. His activities involved technical engineering support for Programs in the Commercial Aircraft Division and other Boeing Divisions. His team accomplished remarkable results using a knowledge-based engineering approach that was integrated with the world-class mathematical and engineering libraries of Boeing’s Phantom Works. John’s work covered all aspects of modern computing that are now “data science” while attaining a maturity in process that rated Level 5 on the Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity model. John obtained a patent: Systems and methods for filtering and smoothing data, US7139674B2, Switlik and Klein. Besides optimizing representational frameworks across disciplines, such as CAD, CAE and CAM, John’s methods emphasized support for verification and validation. Model development and simulation were integrated in a highly complicated design, build and maintain milieu across major programs: starting with the 767 airplane; maturing with the 777 focus on complete digital definition; and continuing through subsequent programs including the 787.
John was a founding member of the Sperry Univac Knowledge System’s Center led by Larry Walker. As a Technical Professional, he integrated “expert systems” applications with extant processes for several Sperry Divisions. For example, integrating Lisp Machines into the operational environment of several types of databases, including the nascent relational modes appearing at that time. Another example was hosting a massive stock market on a Lisp Machine using message-passing to analyze network availability and traffic. John used his database knowledge for Sperry’s program to adopt Amdahl’s process for wafer scale integration of computer chips.
John worked for two major corporations with DOD association (Informatics, Automation Industry) to deliver project management systems that integrated workstation abilities with mainframe database systems. He has worked on all types of databases. John’s Operations Research work at US DOD (Army) involved analysis of data plus preparing reports supporting decisions by Headquarters. At HEW (OE), John’s as Statistician managed data collection and analysis. He co-authored several OE publications.
John’s BA, MA in Economics with a Mathematics minor is from the University of Arizona (Tucson) in 1974/75. His focus was quantitative methods and econometrics. Though his first language was FORTRAN, John has worked on many platforms using tens of languages. He can be general or specific according to the need. His underlying concerns are foundational in scope and include awareness of the importance of consequences, especially the unexpected type, on humans and their lives. Positive influence of technology in culture must be sustainable and obtained with mature ways and means.